EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT      

East Rockaway, New York

Special Meeting of the Board of Education

7:30 P.M., January 25, 2005 – East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School

 

MINUTES

 

Present: Members of the Board of Education:  Mary Boccuzzi, Marie Girace, Vicki Alspector, Debbie Tufano, William Barton, Jr., Superintendent Dr. Arnold Dodge, Director of Finance and Operations Angela Eisert, District Clerk, Patricia Gallagher, and 14 members of the community.

 

Absent:            None

 

                         1.            The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by President Mary Boccuzzi and the 

                                    Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

 2.        Action Agenda

                       

     A)   Personnel  

 

     1.    No items.

 

     B)    Other

 

1.   Upon motion by Vicki Alspector, seconded by Debbie Tufano, the following resolution       was unanimously approved:

 

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the East Rockaway Union Free School District by its Board of Education, as lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Process, approve attached resolution (Agenda Item 1) to classify Capital Improvement Projects at Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue Schools and as listed in the resolution to be Type II as determined by 6NYCRRSec 617.5.

 

2.   Upon motion by William Barton, Jr., seconded by Debbie Tufano, the following resolution was unanimously approved:

 

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the East Rockaway Union Free School District by its Board of Education, as lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Process, approve attached resolution (Agenda Item 2) to implement regulations of the State Quality Review Act, specifically 6 NYCRR Sec 617.6(b)(2) and (3), with respect to renovations, improvements and construction at the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School.

 

 

 

 

3.  Upon motion by Marie Girace, seconded by Vicki Alspector, the following resolution

     was unanimously approved:

 

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the East Rockaway Union Free School District  by          its Board of Education, approve attached resolution (Agenda Item 3) to call a Special district Meeting of the qualified voters of the ERUFSD to be held on March 18, 2005 at 6:00 o’clock AM in the large gym at the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

The Superintendent reported that the Facilities Committee met before the Board of Education meeting to review the final proposal.  Dr. Dodge explained in detail to community members the changes that have been made to the bond.

 

4.   Board Member Comments

 

Debbie Tufano – Mrs. Tufano thanked the Facilities Committee for putting their heart and soul into the bond.  She also thanked the community for their input and stated how enlightening it was to see how the community has reacted.

 

Vicki Alspector – Mrs. Alspector thanked the Facilities Committee for all of their hard work and mentioned she was sad that her own children wouldn’t benefit from all the wonderful changes in the schools. Also, that we have to spread the word about the bond. She said that she understands there is a concern about Rhame Avenue in regards to dropping off students and suggested the PTA write letters to local politicians. 

 

Marie Girace – Mrs. Girace also thanked the Facilities Committee and the community. She also stated that the Board of Education has put their guts in every decision made. She feels that the community’s reaction showed that the district is moving forward. Also, that the bottom line is that their decisions are made for what is best for the children. East Rockaway students will be able to hold their heads higher.

 

William Barton, Jr. – Mr. Barton echoed Mrs.Girace’s comments and explained how the Facilities Committee and Board of Education has been agonizing for the past eighteen months before making their decisions regarding the bond. The figure for the bond has been brought down to 18 million dollars compared to the 28 million dollars they started with. He also said that the children should have a safe place to learn and that they come first.

 

Mary Boccuzzi – Mrs. Boccuzzi thanked the community and the Facilities Committee for all of their hard work. She also said that she is proud to be a member of the Board of Education and that the Board of Education is supposed to mirror the community and tries to listen to all.  She wants the community to know that the Board of Education takes into consideration all that is said. Also, she mentioned what a community member said,   “We will bring the children up to a new level.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Adjournment

 

Upon motion by Marie Girace, seconded by Debbie Tufano, passes unanimously, the meeting was adjourned to executive session at 8:12 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. The meeting was reconvened in open session at 8:51 p.m. Upon motion by Mary Boccuzzi, seconded by Debbie Tufano, passes unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully,

 

 

                                                                                                Patricia Gallagher         

                                                                                                District Clerk